The rising 5th grader received a one-year paid scholarship to the Fondren School of Music under the direction of Patrick Harkins, a scholarship made possible through the generosity of Ergon. The award can be used for vocal or instrumental lessons.

12 May 2016

Welcome to your monthly look at what’s been happening and what’s upcoming in the neighborhood. It is our hope that this email will serve as a jumping off point for you to engage with us if you have questions or wish to help support the work we do on behalf of the neighborhood everyday.
Our FondrenFondren’s resident-centric organization, OurFondren Neighborhood Association, invites you to a movie night, this Saturday, May 14 at Fondren Park. They’re showing a classic, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off. They will have pizza, popcorn and drinks. Bring a blanket or chairs. The movie starts at 6:30 p.m.

Next Tuesday, May 17, OFNA holds their quarterly meeting at St. James Episcopal Church’s Fowler Hall. The doors will open at 5:30pm and the meeting will begin at 6:00pm. The topic is Planning and Economic Development in the City of Jackson. Eric Jefferson, Director of Planning & Economic Development, and Senator David Blount will be there.

In lieu of our regular happy hour at our office, we ask you to join OFNA on the night. An FRF representative will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

25 Apr 2016

A brewer rep from Lazy Magnolia in Kiln, this MS talks to festival-goers about the samples they are tasting |Image: Frank Farmer for Fondren Renaissance

Fondren Renaissance Foundation, in cooperation with Capital City Beverage Company and Southern Beverage Company, presents the 2nd annual Mississippi Craft Beer Festival on the grounds of Duling Hall in Fondren on June 24, 2016. (Tickets are on sale here.)

Over 100 beers will be presented for sampling by twenty eight breweries. Special emphasis will be placed on breweries within Mississippi and nearby bordering states with brewer representatives on hand to discuss their products and brewing methods.

22 Apr 2016

Origin Bank’s Laura Greer and Larry Ratzlaff present a check to Fondren Renaissance’s Jim Wilkirson and St. Dominic’s Bill Scruggs for the Phoenix Initiative. Also accepting the check are St. Dominic’s Deidre Bell, sildenafil Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth and Calude Harbarger.

When Bill Scruggs took on a role in the corporate office of St. Dominic’s Health Services in 2007, information pills then corporate vice-president Barry Plunkett asked him to go for a ride.

“I thought maybe he was going to tell me he was sick,” Scruggs surmised.

As it turns out, Plunkett was handing Scruggs the reigns to the Phoenix Initiative, a façade housing grant program began two years earlier through the generous donation of St. Dominic’s and a partnership with Fondren Renaissance Foundation.

21 Apr 2016

55,000 people are expected to attend Jackson State University‘s commencement on Saturday, a ticketed, not “general admission” event. First Lady Michelle Obama will be the featured speaker for the ceremony that begins at 3pm at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

As with any visitor of Mrs. Obama’s caliber, major traffic delays will begin on Saturday as early as 9am. (No streets will be affected on Friday).

Jackson Police Department District Commander James McGowan said by phone Lakeland Drive should not be affected but the interstate, from the airport to Woodrow Wilson (on to West Street) will be. Streets immediately surrounding the stadium will be blocked. This, he says, will not affect the streets of the historic Fondren business district. “If you have a business, you should have a captive audience to sell to Saturday as cars will be all over the neighborhood.”

One place they will NOT be allowed to park is Woodrow Wilson. McGowan says, “Vehicles will be towed if left parked along this route.”

It is believed the First Lady will speak shortly after 3pm and leave the stadium around 4pm. Street closures from earlier in the day will once again occur. Expect heavy traffic congestion most of Saturday.

“In this area, no one should expect to get anywhere in any hurry on Saturday, period,” he noted.

A University of Mississippi Medical spokesman says hospital employees are advised to anticipate delays. “We don’t know how bad (delays) will be but we’re planning as best as we can. We are opening extra lots on campus to allow to them to park here instead of at the stadium.”

They also advise calling 911 in an emergency. “Persons experiencing a condition such as a heart attack, a severe laceration or other potentially life-threatening condition or obstetrical emergency on Saturday should not attempt to reach any of the three hospital emergency departments in a private vehicle if at all possible.”

15 Apr 2016

Welcome to your monthly look at what’s been happening and what’s upcoming in the neighborhood. It is our hope that this email will serve as a jumping off point for you to engage with us if you have questions or wish to help support the work we do on behalf of the neighborhood everyday.

Monthly Happy Hour

Stop by our office (Fondren Corner 1st floor across from Mosaic) on TuesdayApril 19 from 5pm – 6:30pm for a “happy hour” – OPEN TO ALL MERCHANTS, RESIDENTS and FONDREN ORGANIZATIONS. This is your opportunity to ask questions related to neighborhood projects, zoning, parking, events, safety or other concerns. There is no agenda and all are welcome.

23 Feb 2016

Fondren Renaissance has announced the first installment of this year’s 2016 Four Seasons of The Cedars Visual and Performing Arts Series.

Opened March 3, price “Spring” features painters Kennith Humphrey and Ginger Williams-Cook.

Humphrey, a Vicksburg native, has gained national and international recognition and in the process realized his dream of being a professional painter. His work depicts African American culture such as jazz and blues and agriculture in the Delta. Humphrey and his paintings have acquired nation wide fame as well as interest from Portugal and France. Several of his paintings hang in the American Embasy in Portugal.

14 Jan 2016

A press conference was held at Spann Elementary recently to announce the Barbara Bush Foundation Teen Trendsetter literacy program. The current program, launched in the fall of 2015, involves ten Jackson public high schools paired with ten Jackson public elementary schools along with one pilot program – the first of its kind in the nation – that combines the private school sector with the public school sector, specifically Jackson Academy with Spann Elementary.

The press conference highlighted National Literacy Month and lauded the success of the overall program with special recognition given to Spann and its mentors, Murrah High School and Jackson Academy.